The 10 Best Low-Cost Gas Grills to Buy in 2018

Score a cheap grill for less than $250

If you are looking to purchase a cheap grill for no more than $250 (based on typical sales price) then these are the ones you should be looking at. You get what you pay for, so don't expect these grills to last forever or cook well, but they should serve you for a couple of years and do an okay job of grilling burgers and hot dogs.

Weber Q1000 Liquid Propane Grill

This compact, travel-ready grill is ready to cook in your backyard, or you can take it on the road with you. It has one 8500 BTU stainless steel burner with infinite temperature control, electronic ignition, and 189 square inches of cooking space for family dinners. The grates are porcelain enameled cast iron, so they retain heat but won’t rust. The cast aluminum lid and body reduce the weight, making it more portable. Ergonomic side handles make it easy to move.

The split grate lets you use an...MORE optional griddle along with the grates, so you can cook breakfast on the grill.

This is designed to use disposable 14.1 or 16.4 oz. LP cylinders, but an optional LP adapter hose is available so you can use a large 20-lb. tank at home. An optional cart is also available for this grill.

Char-Broil Quickset 26,500-BTU Model# 463666515

This is one of the bottom, of the line for the Char-Broil gas grills. This particular version sells exclusively at Lowes. What you get is a single burner, dual zone gas grill. While the heat output of is okay the evenness isn't. On the other hand, this grill sells for $100USD, which is a price that is hard to beat. These days this is the bottom end of gas grills so if this is the most you can afford you may consider it, but don't expect much. The thin body won't hold in the heat so...MORE you can't get a lot of versatility. As a basic burger burner, it is an okay grill, but watch out for the flare-ups.

Huntington 2-Burner Gas Grill Model# 30040HNT

Inexpensive gas grills have become something of a disposable item these days. Years ago you could count on a cheap gas grill standing up for several years before needing repair or replacement. Those days are largely gone, but this powerful little gas grill from Huntington has a side burner and a cast aluminum body. It last forever, but it will certainly outlast most of these cheap department store brands.

Char-Broil Quickset 3-Burner Model# 463742215

Quickset is the least expensive of Char-Broil's gas grills. This three burner model offers nothing more than a three burner gas grill. Simple, lightweight, and inexpensive this $180USD model is a reasonably good choice for the price. It is a disposable grill. It will not last more than a few years and the replacement parts are not really worth buying to fix a grill of this price. While there is a warranty it is pretty limited and odds are you are not going to be able to us it unless the...MORE grill is faulty out of the box.

Continue to 5 of 9 below.

Cuisinart Petit Gourmet Portable Tabletop Gas Grill

This small portable grill offers 145 square inches of grilling space and foldaway legs for easy storage. It has a single 5.500 BTU stainless steel burner and dishwasher-safe grates with a porcelain enamel coating. While this is small, it’s designed to be solid and durable and to cook evenly, just like a larger grill. Meanwhile, the compact design keeps the heat close to the cooking surface for maximum efficiency.

This sets up easily and the lid locks for storage or for one-handed transportation...MORE using the briefcase-style carrying handle. This is available in several colors.

Huntington 2-Burner Gas Grill Model# 30030HNT

Every big box store needs an army of cheap grills chained up in front of the store for the big cookout holidays. This model from Huntington isn't as cheap as most of those. Built with a cast aluminum body, this inexpensive gas grill will last a little longer and perform better than most of the cheap department store brands. Of course for the price I recommend going charcoal, but if one insists take a look at this simple and small gas grill.

Smoke Hollow 2-Burner Gas Grill Model# LS2016-2

There are a number of inexpensive 2-burner gas grills on the market. Many companies make them and they are all lightweight, weak on power and uneven on the heating. Over the years I have argued that a person can choose between a bad gas grill or a very good charcoal grill in this price range, but I am fully aware that for many people, charcoal is not an option they are willing to go with. Cheap gas grills are cheap and that makes them attractive for the person who wants a...MORE quick and easy grill for quick and easy grilling. The Smoke Hollow 2-Burner Barrel grill is a cheap grill. It weights around 40 pounds, has a low heat output, and won't do much more than grill up some burgers and a mediocre steak. This is the price you pay for not paying a higher price. On the other hand, this isn't that bad of a grill when compared to a lot of models in this bottom end price range.

Dyna-Glo 4-Burner Gas Grill Model# DGF493BNP-D

On paper, this gas grill has what it takes to be good in the price range. The four burners pump out plenty of power under the 461 square inches of porcelain coated cast iron cooking surface. Aside from this, there is really nothing else here other than a bottle opener on the left side table. This is bare bones and the makers know it, but for the price, it is one of the better gas grills on the market.

Continue to 9 of 9 below.

Char-Broil Advantage 2-Burner Gas Grill Model# 463642116

For the last several years, Char-Broil has produced a line of small footprint gas grills. Sometimes called the "Urban" grill, these little two-burner grills come in a wide range of cooking systems and materials. This is the simplest and least expensive of this style of grill. With two burners and 300 square inches of primary grilling space, there isn't much here, but for under $200USD (typically) there shouldn't be. This is a pretty good combination of value,...MORE feature, and size. Unfortunately, this one is lacking in power as well as features.

Disclosure: At The Spruce, our Expert writers are committed to researching and writing thoughtful and editorially independent reviews of the best products for your life and your family. If you like what we do, you can support us through our chosen links, which earn us a commission. Learn more about our review process.